Improvement in folding chairs



UNITED STATES B. J. HARRISON AND J. CONDIE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN FOLDING CHAIRS.

Spccilication forming part of Letters Patent No. 56.410.. dated July 17, 1866.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that We, BENJAMIN J. HARRI- SON and JAMES CONDIE, both of the city, county, and State, of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Chairs; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a side view of the chair in an extended position. Fig. 2 is a side View of the same in a folded or closed position. Fig. 3 is a front view of the saine in a folded position.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

This invention consists in a novel construe tion of a folding chair, whereby the chair is rendered much more firm and steady When in an open or extended position, and capable of being carried about When in such open or extended position with much greater ease and convenience, than the folding chairs heretofore in use; and, furthermore, whereby it may be more compactly folded up for transportation in large numbers, and also be carried singly in the hand When folded or closed with much greater facility, than such ordinary folding chairs; and, furthermore, whereby it is rendered very simple and capable of being manufactured at a very moderate cost.

To enable others to understand the nature and construction of our invention, we will proceed to describe it with reference to the drawings.

A represents two legs, which are connected together near their lower extremities by means of a transverse round or bar, a, and at their upper ends by another transverse bar, b, which constitutes the front seat-rail of the chair.

B represents two other legs, which are somewhich is made of cloth, carpet, or other suit able pliable material, and has its front edge secured by any appropriate means to the front seat-rail, I), while its iearmost edge is attachedA to the back seat-rail, O, at or near the under or lower edge thereof and below the axis or pivots of the said back seat-rail, C, as shown at f. The back of the chair is formed of two posts or arms, E, the lower ends of which are rmly fixed in the back seat-rail, C, one of the said arms being situated at each end of the said rail G and at right angles to the length thereof, as more clearly represented in Fig. 3. rIhese arms E are connected at the top by a suitable cross-piece, F. The lowermost portions of the arms E project through and below the back seat-rail, C, as shown at g, and have fitted upon their extremities a transverse bar, Gr, in such manner that when the chair is opened out for use, as shown in Fig. l, the ends of the said bar Gr Will come in contact with the rear or under sides of the legs B, as represented in the said Fig. 1, and act as a brace to prevent the back E F of the chair from being tilted too far back. rIhis transverse bar G may be made ot' cylindrical or other suitable shape, and also serves the purpose of a handle by which the chair may be carried from place to place when in a folded or closed condition, as will be presently fully explained.

In opening or expanding the chair for use the two pairs of legs A and B are turned upon their pivots c, so as to stand at an angle to each other, as shown in Fig. 1. The seat or bottom D being thus stretched out in ahorizontal position, the back E F is then placed in an upright position with the ends of the brace or bar G in contact with the rear or under sides of the legs B, as hereinbefore explained. The chair is then ready for use, and inasmuch as the rearmost edge of the seat or bottom D is attached to the under side of the back seat-rail, G, below the axis thereof, as hereinbefore set forth, it follows that the weight of the occupant of the chair upon the said bottom will cause it to hold the said rail C iirmly against the legs B, and thus securely `retain the back E F in its proper upright position, while by grasping the back E F the chair may be lifted up and carriedy about, the

lower portions thereof being retained in place by the supporting action of the brace or transverse bar G upon the legs B. .f

When it is desired to fold the chair the two pairs of legs A and B are turned upon their pivots c, so that they are brought nearly parallel with each other, the legs A being` situated between the legs B and the seat or bottom D being doubled or folded at the rearinost side of the chair, as shown in Fig. 2. The back E F is then turned over forward upon the pivots c of the bar or brace C until it is brought in front of and nearly parallel with the legs A and B, as represented in Figs. 2 and 8, thus bringing the several parts compactly together, and, inasmuch as the brace or bar C is brought uppermost by thus turning over or reversing the back E F, the said bar may be used as a handle by which the chair, as thus folded up, may be carried from place to place.

What we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. rlhe transverse bar G, so arranged in relation with the pivoted back seat-rail, C, the back E F, and the legs B as to serve as a brace to hold the back in position when the chair is opened, and as a handle by which the BENJ. J. HARRISON. JAMES CONDIE.

Witnesses WILLIAM RooME, JAMES N. WELLS. 

